Friends

How lucky I am to have such a wonderful friend who sends me flowers when I had to go in to have an small operation. Just sending flowers and telling me she loves me makes me feel I am important and ok.

How beautiful are these flowers. Thank you my amazing friend you really made my day. I love you heaps.

Operation Day

Well today was operation day. I had a gastroscopy, they found a hernia and they did a biopsy and I will get the results in about 10 days. Feeling ok, just very tired. Can't wait to get started into the garden.

Last weekend I plant seeds into old strawberry packets and I also planted potatoes. I can't wait to get back into the garden. Hopefully this week end I can. I have so many ideas.

Have a great night.

xxx

Birthday Husband

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. Today he turns 47. I wish him a great day. My husband is going away for a boy's week-end to Griffith (NSW). He is riding his old motorbike as the one he recently bought is still with the mechanics (Not happy). He got sold a dud but being the person he is he doesn't want to complain to the people who sold it to him instead he wants to pay even more money to get it fixed.

Yesterday I made the comment to him about how cold it is and how funny it would be if it snowed especially on the day of the ride. Well it did snow yesterday but now the sun is shining. I hope the weather is not too bad for them.

So I have the week-end to do things. What are my plans?

• housework 
• gardening
• cooking
• exercising
• shopping
• cleaning out the hallway cupboard
• painting the door in the laundry
• making some cards etc

Boy, I do have a long list to do. I better get started.

Have a great week-end.

xxx

Life at the moment

Lots of things have been happening in my life lately.

Today was my first day at the Jane Austen Book Club. We discussed "Emma". I was a bit naughty and didn't get a chance to read all of the book. Next time I will read the book, Sense and Sensibility. I will bring my opinion next time.

I have been very unwell with indigestion. I have had indigestion for a very long time. I went to the doctor's to get some medication for my sinuses as I was in so much pain. I mention (again) how I was in pain when I eat and how I get so much indigestion. I was sent for an ultrasound. I rang the doctor's office to discuss the results however I was only told by the nurse that I had a small benign lump in my gall bladder. I asked if I should go and see the doctor's only to be told, that she didn't know.

I went to see the doctor a few days later only to discover that I should have been called back and now have to see a specialist. I am hoping to get into the specialist as soon as possible. Not too sure what is happening but only time will tell. I am not too worried.

I have been told not to eat things like processed food, sugar, spicy food and no alcohol. So this has really made me think I should really try and become more self-sufficient. I made the most yummiest sweet potato and carrot soup for lunch today and I have left overs for lunch tomorrow. Can't wait. Had a small piece of steak and vegetables for dinner. I just have to learn to eat small and more meals than the standard three meals a day.

I went to the craft show this week-end with one of my favourite people in the world, Nic. I just love her so much. I hope everyone has a great friend like her. She always makes me feel happy and I always leave her with the biggest smile on my face. Anyway, I spent way too much but I am happy with what I got. I should take photos of what I got. Maybe later.

Have a great Sunday night.

xxx

Freedom

Brad and the boys have left me to own devices this afternoon. They are off to the movies. Declan had today off so it is father/sons day.

Me, I am feeling very sick I will just go and having a sleep.

Off to bed I go.

I did have a small nap then I woke up feeling worse so I took some cold tablets. It worked, I now I loads of energy. I have cleaned my house and loads of washing (still have heaps).  Now ready for dinner. 

Getting old

I am finally acknowledging that I am middle-age. Not at the beginning, not at the end but right smack bang in the middle of middle-age. I am realising that I get cranky about the most stupid things such as, the girl at the check-out manner (oh so young with such an negative attitude to life), today's loud music (I don't mean every music). However I am happy where I am. Next to no debt, two wonderful boys and a husband who listens to my fantastic ideas (OK, he pretends to listens as he rolling his eyes).

 http://thethingsthatgetusthrough.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/happy-sun.jpg

Today I am going to really take stock of how I am going to save more money. I have a vegetable patch but I don't think I put it to good use. I think it will need to be moved as it now doesn't get as much sun due to the new fence. I am going to make more garden beds and make a chicken run. I want to put in some fruit trees but I need my chicken run first. 

Anyway, better start with cleaning the house first and then to the gym and back home to continue cleaning.

Have a great Saturday.

Saving money

First of all I want to wish my beautiful niece a happy 20th birthday. Love you Charlene.

http://www.birthday-clip-art.com/pics/happy_birthday_balloons.jpg

I was unable to go grocery shopping this weekend so I went tonight. The last two months I have been budgeting $300 per week for grocery and incidentals. Each week there was money left over. My grocery bill was only costing somewhere between $150 and $180 per week. I now have decided to include petrol into the $300. I am amazed how I am able to feed my family (Hubby, two teenager boys and me) for $180 or less. I am making my own cleaning products and soap. 

http://bestofmotherearth.com/files/2011/10/flat_green_dollar_bill_cartoon_character_flexing_his_arm_muscles-280x300.jpg

If anyone has any ideas on how I can save more money let me know.

Good night. xxx

The Week-end

Wow, this week-end has gone really fast. We had a pretty full on week-end and it didn't include housework.

http://feministing.com/files/2012/06/housework.jpg

Went to the gym and did some washing and then decided to visit some friends on Saturday and ended up staying there for 7 hours. Came home and went to bed.

Sunday I got up around 6:30 am and just sat and read some blogs and then did some more washing. Then we needed to get ready to go out to lunch with other friends for one of their children's birthday. Just started to get ready when the phone rang. Spoke to this person for over one hour. Not complaining it was nice to hear from them as we have not spoken for many months.

http://endofthenet.org/wp-content/uploads/clue-phone.gif

Went to lunch at Sammy's and had a wonderful time with our friends. Brad and I was not too sure if we would go to the movies afterwards but we decided not too as the movie we wanted to see didn't start until 5:00 pm so that would have been two hour wait. We came home and I decided to have a quick nap (only 30 minutes) and I am now sitting here blogging. 

I need to do the ironing and put the final bit of washing on but I am so comfortable on the lounge with the heater on as it is very cold here. I need to start dinner. Have a great Sunday night.

xxx

This is how I am feeling at the moment. I have some dreaded virus. I have had high temperatures and just feeling sick, sore throat (off and on, runny nose etc). I hope everyone else is feeling ok.

xxx

ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day - Lest we forget.

Nothing New This Month

April already and now daylight savings is over until later in the year.

April for me is NOT TO BUY ANYTHING NEW FOR ONE WHOLE MONTH!!!!!

This means I will buy the essentials (food, petrol, electricity etc).

Why am I doing this:

1. to show my children (and my husband) you can go for a whole month and not buy anything new.

2. to save more money for my kitchen renovations. (I want to be able to pay cash for these).

3. to prove to myself I can do it.

I am really trying this year to live my life in a more simplified way. I think I am too materialistic and really need to change. I don't need to keep up with the 'Jones'. I remember a number of years ago someone made a comment about how they need to get (insert object) because our neighbour just got one. I just laughed about it at the time but it somehow has stayed with me.

I am really questioning what type of person I am becoming. Do I really need the largest high tech gadget? Probably not!

I read so many great blogs that really motivate me to become more self-sufficient. I will link their blogs later (not too sure how to and I want to check with them to make sure it is ok as well).

I am really excited about my change. I know it will be hard but I know I will make some changes.

Have a great day.

Last day for one whole month.

Today is my last day of buying anything new. As of 1 April the only things that will be bought will be the essentials (food/petrol etc).

What do I hope to achieve out of this?

1. More money saved at the end of April to go towards my new kitchen

2. To show that myself (and my boys) you don't need to buy 'stuff' just for the sake of buying it.

3. To have more time to spend to the house and garden (I really need to do some gardening).

4. and finally, hopefully have some more time to exercise, read and relax.

There are so many jobs need to be done around this house. I need to weed the gardens, prepare my vegetable patch for winter crops and clean out the linen cupboard.

Well better go. Have a great day.

I'm back (well sort of)

I have been missing in action. I have been feeling very low and very stressed. So much have happened. We went on a lovely holiday to Byron Bay for a week. Had a fantastic time and really wished it was longer (but who doesn't).

When we came back lots of stuff happened. I injured myself very badly and needed to a lot of rest and then my youngest became very ill and ended up in hospital. Then on top of all this my work life is not very good. BUT I am turning a corner and stopped feeling sorry for myself.

I am so excited with what is my future plans are:

• During April I will not be buying anything new. One whole month of not buying new clothes/shoes/handbags.
• I am starting to life a more simple life. I do need to get more organised to help this and I know it will be hard but I read a wonderful blog which I will write about it later (I need to check if I can link it to my blog).
• I am going to lose weight, ok I have eaten everything I shouldn't today but I will be so much healthier as there will not be any processed food.

Anyway, I think I will leave it for tonight and go to bed very tired and I have to go to work.

Take care.

5th January 2012

I nearly forgot to take a photo today, just about to go to bed. I am really tired. Waking up around 3:20 am every day as that the time my son goes off to work (he is an apprentice baker). As his mother, I listen to him drive away and then can't get to sleep again until around 5:00 am. I really like getting up at 5:30 am to go to the gym however I have been too tired to do so for the last 2 months.

I was wearing some bracelets that my husband bought for me for my birthday last year and thought I could photograph them. He had them hand-made from a place on line. I just love them. He also got another one made for me. How spoilt am I :). They always make me smile and makes me realise that my husband is not too bad (I think I will keep him).

Don't look to close to my arm, this photo shows up all my freckles and how old my arm and hand looks. Isn't old age shown in your hands :(.

Anyway, have a great night (and day tomorrow).

Pauline

xxx

4th January 2012

Two of my favourite people in the world. Hubby and DS2 pulling apart an old computer and saving the 'bits' they need (or want). Watching them with work together and discussing how computers work and how old this particular computer is. Just love watching father/son time. Have a great Wednesday night.

3rd January 2012

Ok, I have caught up. This afternoon when I arrived home from work, I was greeted by the wonderful smell from these flowers that are in front of the house. I think they are gardenias. They are such a pretty flower with a sweet smell, I wish computer had smell-a-vision . It was so nice to be greeted this way after the first day back at work after Christmas and the New Year. Off to water my plants as today in Canberra it has been very hot and my plants really need a lot of water.

Have a great night.

Love

Pauline

xxx

2nd January Photo

I am trying to catch up with the second photo for 2012.

These are my beautiful girls. They are so beautiful. They really have their own personality. Gertrude is the bigger and bossier one. When I give them some food, she always sticks her bottom in the way of Bettina (chicken two), pushing her out of the way. Bettina however is much faster than Gertrude and often gets there first. They both look so funny when running. If I let them out too late in the morning (such as 7 am), they really get mad and make these funny noises at me when walking out of their coop. They have been laying an egg a day each for the last five weeks so many of our friends have been getting free eggs.

I hope you like my girls.

Pauline

xxx

1st January photo

This is the first photo for 2012. I am in this wonderful challenge set by the fantastic Charlotte (big wave to Charlotte and Jai). So looking forward to this challenge. I need to convince my hubby that I need an iPhone, he has one but not me, (not a happy camper).

This little guy was in our apple tree eating our apples. Mostly eating half and then dropping the other half. There are a lot of apples on this tree this year but the birds have been helping themselves to them. At least they are happy. I love listening to them talk to each other.

I hope you like my first photo for 2012.

New Year's Answers.

I came across these questions from the wonderful blog of All & Sundry...

These are my answers for the following questions:

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

I now have two chickens to help reduce my food bill. I always thought that chickens are a bit ugly however I have fallen in love with them. They both have there own personality. They make me smile every day.

I also volunteered at the local Community Festival and loved it. Not too sure if I will have the time this year hopefully I will.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

No, I didn't keep any of my new year's resolutions.

Didn't lose the weight, didn't stop complaining, didn't get the house organised, de-cluttered, cleaned etc.

Needless to say, these are my new resolutions.... as well as completing my certificate in Interior Design and listening more to my kids and husband and try not to yell too much and eat my chicken's eggs, for some reason I just can't eat them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No


4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my niece's little girl (aged 16 months). It was so sad and she is greatly missed every day.

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

A small place in the country (not too far from the beach) where I (and my husband) can have some land to have chickens, goats and lots of vegetable patch.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

February 22, the day we lost Princess Bella.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


I changed jobs into an area that I am interested in and found it harder than expected but still enjoyable.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not understanding or listening to my children. I really need to listen to both of my boys, they do know somethings...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I hurt my calf and I now have tennis elbow which really restricts my training.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My mixmaster, just love it. It only cost $99.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Supporting my oldest child at university for the first six months until he quit :(. Also, my husband buying lots on things on-line for his car.

13. What did you get really excited about?

My oldest moving out to go to university (even though it didn't work out). He getting an apprenticeship and sticking with it. My youngest getting into the advanced drama group at his school and him making some great friends (he has trouble making and keeping friends due to his disability). Getting a new position in an area that I have never worked in. Going away on week-end trips just hubby and I.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Breathe by The Prodigy, it is used for a TV ad for beer which makes me smile as it's my husband favourite ad.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:


– happier or sadder? Hmmm, probably about the same.
– thinner or fatter? fatter by about 4 kilos.
– richer or poorer? richer due to both of us working full-time.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Spent time with my boys and husband, listened more, made time for friends (I was really bad at this). Exercised more, of course. Looked after myself better.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Complaining, gossiping, watching TV and playing on the computer.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Had a great Christmas, just spent it at home with my boys. Had loads of food and spent time with each other. Best yet, no fighting, not even my boys. It was very relaxing.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Grand Designs (the English one), Escape to the Country and How clean is your house? (There is a theme here).

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

When My Husband Does the Dishes by Kerri Sackville. So funny and so close to my life. She also has a blog, Life and other Crises.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


Breathe, Sexy and I know it (I sing this to my two teenager boys) and moves like Jagger.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

Not too sure as I didn't see many films. I still want to see Bridemaids.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

On my birthday I went to work and had lunch with three beautiful friends, got very spoilt and came home and had take-away for dinner with my boys.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Listened more and be better organised. Not leaving every thing to the last minute.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Black, that right I only wear black at the moment as I need to lose weight. Doesn't black make you look slimmer.

26. What kept you sane?

My husband and kids. They are also prepared to tell me when to 'pull my head in' when needed.

My oldest friends, they always make me feel 'normal' when we meet every three months for dinner.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


To trust your instincts. So many times I had a feeling to contact someone and don't to find out that they needed someone due to illness, death, sadness or good news.

Also, believe in my children. They do know something.

Ok, here are my answers, I hope you enjoy reading them.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, here's hoping that 2012 is a great year. I am sure it will be.

It has already started to be great. Went to friends' for a great party and then pick up number one son from another party at 1:30 am. Then woke up around 7 am. I can never sleep in.

Number two son stayed at home by himself and only just got up (10:30 am). Number one son was up and begging for food for his hang over.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great new year.

xxx